Things are looking up for Papua New Guinea’s manufacturing sector and moves are afoot to develop strategies to foster local companies. David James profiles the sector.
Features
Papua New Guinea’s construction industry continues to face challenges, says Frank McQuoid, Chairman of manufacturer Steel Industries. But others say it is on the edge of a boom that will extend beyond the resource sector. David James examines both sides of the story.
A team of researchers have discovered evidence of trade between Papua New Guinea and Australia over 2,500 years prior to colonisation. Their findings will help unravel the forgotten shared history of PNG and Indigenous Australia across the Torres Strait.
The Total-led Papua LNG project looks set to enter its Front End Engineering Design (FEED) phase. It’s a good sign: according to the ANZ’s PNG Economic Outlook, 97 per cent of the gas projects that enter into FEED have a positive final investment decision. David James explores.
After receiving its banking licence five years ago, Women’s Micro Bank expects to deliver its first dividend in 2020. General Manger, Gunanidhi Das, tells Business Advantage PNG, the bank now has 27,000 customers, and aims to have 30,000 next year.
As the Ok Tedi gold and copper mine nears the end of its current mine life, the Ok Tedi Development Foundation has launched a five-year plan to create economic self-reliance for the people of Western Province. Kevin McQuillan reports.
Papua New Guinea manufacturer Vitis Industries has expanded into spirits, brewing and coffee production as it seeks to convert locally-grown crops into consumer products. General Manager, Sergey Mosin shares some of his plans for 2019 with Business Advantage PNG.
Papua New Guinea’s national oil and gas company plan to increase household electrification and encourage growth in remote locations. Its Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, has revealed the company plans to diversify and focus on more downstream activities in order to maintain revenues.
Road safety is at the forefront of business minds in Papua New Guinea. Poor roads mean delays in the delivery of goods, damaged vehicles and fatal accidents. But Frank Lapi, Director and Master Trainer at Diamond Defensive Driving Academy, may have found a solution that suits businesses of every size.
Three quarters of Papua New Guinea’s population is excluded from the financial sector, but there are differing thoughts about how to include them. David James looks at some of the options being proposed for PNG and notes the mobile phone is the key to all of them.